Terrell Owens broke his right ring finger and needs surgery. He’s going to be out 2-4 weeks, but with Dallas’ bye in Week 3, he may not miss any games. If he is out more than two weeks, the roles of Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton would likely increase…Kevan Barlow should start in Week 3. He hasn’t been great, but he’s been more effective than Derrick Blaylock and is a servicable RB3…Aaron Brooks is scheduled to have an MRI on his shoulder. The Raiders are on bye next week, but if Brooks is healthy, he would get the start in Week 4. I’m not sure that the bye week could come at a better time for the Raiders, who are in serious trouble just two weeks into the season…Rod Smith reportedly suffered a concussion against the Chiefs. This is his third in the past year, so it would be wise to keep an eye on Smith’s status this week. Once 30+ year-old players start suffering multiple concussions, they are often scared (wisely) into retirement. It’s not worth playing if permanent brain damage is a distinct possibility…The Denver post is reporting that Jake Plummer might be out as QB for the Broncos sooner rather than later. After playing well the last two years, Plummer has looked pretty awful this season and needs to get the ship righted against a good New England team if he has any hope of finishing the season. The Broncos have Super Bowl aspirations, and I’m not so sure rookie Jay Cutler can get them there, but the same could be said about Plummer…Joshua Cribs replaced Kellen Winslow on third downs on Sunday. This is a curious move after Winslow’s solid play in the first game. Don’t you want your athletic pass-catching tight end on the field in passing situations? Maybe there’s something else (disciplinary?) going on here…Reggie Brown injured his hamstring on Sunday. It’s not clear how serious the injury is. Brown has two touchdowns on two catches this season. While that’s quite the pace, Brown owners were expecting more production outside of the redzone this season…Don’t be surprised if Joseph Addai is starting for the Colts at some point in the next few weeks. He’s shown ability that Dominic Rhodes has not, and is a good pass blocker for a rookie.
Month: September 2006 (Page 12 of 30)
There were more than a handful of guys who deserved to be named College Football Players of the Week, but only two can be crowned.
If you feel that another player was worthy of higher honors than the two I chose, post the athlete and let me hear why you think he or they were more deserving.
Remember though, the two athletes I pick are usually going to be on a team that played somebody other than St. Mary’s School of Art.
That’s just how I roll – here are your top performers of the week:
Offensive Player of the Week: Mario Manningham, WR Michigan
This award could easily have been split up between Manningham and his quarterback, Chad Henne. However, with the variety of moves Manningham put on Notre Dame’s secondary, he is the pick to click this week. Manningham’s stats from the Wolverines first two games: five catches for 71 yards and one score. Manningham’s production against the Irish on Saturday: four receptions for 137 yards, three touchdowns and an YPC average of 34.3. With just under six minutes remaining in the first quarter, Manningham faked Notre Dame’s Terrail Lambert on an out and up and Henne hit the receiver for a 70-yard touchdown. Still in the first half, Manningham added touchdowns of 20 and 22 yards, which gave Michigan a 34-14 halftime lead and eventually a 47-21 thumping over the Irish.
*I’ve got to give recognition to West Virginia’s Steve Slaton as well. Slaton tore up Maryland for 195 yards and two touchdowns in the Mountaineers 45-24 victory Thursday night. Here’s the best part though – Slaton grew up a Terps fan and desperately wanted to play for Maryland, but head coach Ralph Friedgen withdrew a scholarship offer for the back two years ago.
But hey, who’s going to give Fiedgen crap when none of his current backs have eclipsed 100 yards in a game so far this season, huh?
Defensive Player of the Week: Prescott Burgess, LB Michigan
Hate to have two players from the same school, but this kid deserves just as much attention as Manningham. Burgess intercepted Brady Quinn twice on Saturday, including returning the first interception for 32 yards and a touchdown to give U of M a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the game. His second interception he returned 34 yards to the Irish five-yard line, which eventually led to a Wolverines field goal. Burgess also added five tackles a pass breakup and a QB hurry to one of the best games the senior has ever had at Michigan.
*South Florida junior cornerback Trae Williams intercepted two passes in the first two offensive possessions by UCF in the Bulls 24-17 victory on Saturday. Williams is now tied with C.J. Wilson of Baylor with four interceptions to the lead the nation.
Is everybody paying attention with week two pretty much in the books?
Carolina, Tampa Bay, Washington and Denver were all playoff teams last year and all four are a combined 1-7 to start off the year.
Chicago, Baltimore and Atlanta have by far and away the best defenses in the league – giving up a total of just one touchdown between the three teams.
Oh and by the way, New Orleans is undefeated with both wins coming on the road.
I don’t know what the record is for the most missed or blocked field goals in a given week (I tried to Google it to no avail), but there were 17 botched kicks in week two. A total of six field goals were missed or blocked in the Atlanta-Tampa Bay game alone and get this, none of the bad kicks were off of Mike Vanderjagt’s foot.
Here are the cliff notes for your NFL Week 3 exam tomorrow morning:
NY Giants 30, Philadelphia 24 OT
Best win of the day for many reasons. First of all, the G-Men needed to keep from falling to 0-2 if they had any hopes of reaching the playoffs with their horrendous schedule. Secondly, New York was getting hammered in this game before clawing all the way back from 17 points down in the fourth quarter.
Most impressed with: Eli Manning, who almost eclipsed his older brother’s marks with 371 yards and three touchdowns. The winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in overtime was out of pure desperation and probably would have gotten knocked down or intercepted any other time. But it was also the right play with Plax being covered one-on-one and Manning allowed his tall receiver to make a play on the ball, which is all you can ask for out of your quarterback.
Least impressed with: Philadelphia’s defense. You can’t go up 24-7 just to let a division rival claw all the way back and take a win in your home opener. Brian Westbrook fumbled in the fourth quarter to set up a Giants score, but safety Michael Lewis was caught out of position on an Amani Toomer TD and all and all the secondary (who should be one of the best in the league) just didn’t make enough plays. The Eagles have a weak enough schedule that they can get by with this loss, but there won’t be too many times when you hold the Giants offense in check for three quarters, just to blow it at the end.
Minnesota 16 , Carolina 13 OT
What a terrible play call by John Fox in this game. With Carolina up by 10 early in the fourth quarter, Fox calls a throw back on a punt return that Chris Gamble muffs up with a terrible throw that causes a fumble. The Vikings recover the ball and score four plays later, on a fake field goal – now that’s a play call, Fox.
Carolina is now 0-2 and two games back in the division to Atlanta – a team that they already beat the Panthers in Carolina. Without Smith this team is hapless and looks desperate for offensive firepower. Rookie DeAngelo Williams did get some carries, however, and got into the endzone for the first time in his career. I don’t see Williams shouldering all the load quite yet, but he is starting to take some quality carries away from DeShaun Foster.
Most impressed with: Chester Taylor, who is proving that he can carry the load for the Vikings. There were so many questions about whether or not he can be a feature back and he has been successful against what was supposed to be two solid defenses in Washington and Carolina.
Least impressed with: Jake Delhomme. In two games, Delhomme has screamed at teammates, coaches and opposing players. Delhomme has pouted after being sacked, pouted when opposing players touch him and pouted when he doesn’t get his meal cooked the right way (okay, so I made that last part up). He is not a leader, he’s not a Super Bowl caliber QB right now and he is nothing without Steve Smith. There, I said it.
Dallas 27, Washington 10
Tony Romo? Hi, it’s Bill Parcells. Can I put you on hold for another couple of weeks?
Most impressed with: Vanderjagt actually making two freaking field goals. Either that or Drew Bledsoe throwing for 237 yards and two scores without any interceptions and managing to find Terry Glenn on a couple of nice deep passes. Glenn was huge in this game, showing that he isn’t a sideshow piece to Terrell Owens (who broke a finger and will be out 2-4 weeks) and that he might be the Cowboys best reciever.
Least impressed with: Washington’s offense. All I keep hearing is how Al Saunders’ playbook is 700 pages deep. Why not try cutting out 650 of those pages Saunders, that way your offense will at least learn the basics and maybe average more than 13 points a game.
Quick Shots:
Buffalo sacked Daunte Culpepper seven times in its 16-6 win over the Dolphins. Five sacks came in Miami’s first 15 offensive snaps…The Bengals got their offense on track, but got bit hard by the injury bug in their 34-17 victory over the Browns. Was it Charlie Frye’s idea to pass short on every play today or was that OC Maurice Carthon’s call?… Andrew Walter is the answer in Oakland. Walter’s line in the Raiders 28-6 loss to the Ravens today: 10 of 27 for 162 yards, three interceptions and was sacked six times. Have a nice day kid. Baltimore is one of two teams that haven’t given up a touchdown on defense so far this season…The other team is Atlanta, who burned Tampa Bay for a franchise record 306 rushing yards in a 14-6 victory. QB Chris Simms was intercepted three times today, making that six on the season for the soon to be replaced single caller… Peyton Manning broke John Unitas’ franchise record for completions in the Colts 48-24 trouncing of Houston. Manning threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns, none of them to receivers Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison, however. Manning is now 9-0 against Houston lifetime and has passed for 2,503 yards and 22 touchdowns… Rex Grossman just woke up the NFL – 20 of 27 for 289 yards and four touchdowns in the Bears 34-7 dismantling of the Lions. Hey Roy Williams, next time you make a guarantee, guarantee you don’t celebrate a meaningless first down catch with your team down by 20 points…The Saints are 2-0 after beating Green Bay 34-27. New Orleans has beaten two cupcakes in Cleveland and the Packers, but that’s two cupcake wins on the road. Next week: Monday night against Atlanta for the reopening of the Louisiana Superdome since Hurricane Katrina destroyed it last year…Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles touchdown receptions in the Jets 24-17 loss to New England were the best highlight plays of the season so far… Philip Rivers wasn’t asked to do too much last week, but he unloaded on the Titans for 235 yards and a touchdown in San Deigo’s 40-7 thrashing of the Titans. Something tells me this young man will do just fine in this league…Don’t look now but San Francisco has a nice little offense with QB Alex Smith joining up with WR Antonio Bryant. Smith looks light years ahead of where he was last season and the 49ers are now 1-1 after beating St. Louis 20-13…Yeah the Broncos beat Kansas City 9-6 in overtime, but Denver better hope it has more firepower than nine points when it plays San Diego… Welcome back to earth Kurt Warner and welcome to the 2006 season Seattle offense. Shaun Alexander reaches paydirt in the Seahawks 21-10 win over Arizona after he was shut out last week in Detroit.
Most of Week 2 has come and gone, and several players put up some HUGE numbers on Sunday. The Manning brothers carved up a couple of defenses, Rudi ran roughshod over the Browns, while several wideouts had 100+ yard days. But enough chitchat, let’s get right to this week’s Headliners and Flatliners.
SUNDAY HEADLINERS
Peyton Manning (400 yards, 3 TD)
Today’s game is why people draft Peyton Manning in the first or second round. Anytime one of your guys hits the 400-yard barrier, you know he had a big passing day. Manning completed at least one pass to nine different receivers, throwing TD passes to three different guys (Joseph Addai, Brandon Stokley and Bryan Fletcher), while helping two others (Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison) each go for at least 127 yards. I bet the Texans’ plane ride home is a quiet one.
ALSO: Rex Grossman (289 yards, 4 TD), Eli Manning (371 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT), Michael Vick (92 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 14 touches, 127 rush yards, 1 TD), Brett Favre (340 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT), Donovan McNabb (350 pass yards, 2 TD, 31 rush yards), Drew Brees (353 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT)
Rudi Johnson (28 touches, 148 yards, 2 TD)
“Come on, guys. Get on my back. I’ll carry us home.” Johnson killed the Browns in the fourth quarter, rushing eight times for 73 yards and two touchdowns in the final period. His performance in the quarter took his stats from pedestrian to headliner status, and he did it all without Levi Jones blocking for him. RJ is off to a great start this season.
ALSO: LaDainian Tomlinson (26 touches, 122 yards, 2 TD), Frank Gore (31 touches, 137 yards, 1 TD), Brian Westbrook (26 touches, 124 yards, 1 TD, 1 Fumble), Larry Johnson (32 touches, 167 yards), Michael Turner (15 touches, 155 yards)
Amani Toomer (12 rec, 137 yards, 2 TD)
The old man isn’t done yet. Toomer continues to thrive as the third or fourth option behind Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey (when Shockey isn’t limping around on the sideline). Even though Toomer has lost a step, he continues to find ways to get open and has become one of Eli Manning’s favorite targets. There were a ton of huge numbers put up by receivers today, but Toomer’s line stands out.
ALSO: Antonio Bryant (4 rec, 131 yards, 1 TD), Plaxico Burress (6 rec, 114, 1 TD), Joey Galloway (9 rec, 161 yards), Donald Driver (8 rec, 153 yards), Darrell Jackson (5 rec, 127 yards, 1 TD), Jericho Cotchery (6 rec, 121 yards, 1 TD), Laveranues Coles (6 rec, 100 yards, 1 TD)
Desmond Clark (5 rec, 89 yards, 1 TD)
Clark is probably still available on most waiver wires, and is thriving now that Rex Grossman is playing like he has a clue. The tight end has caught 10 passes for 162 yards and a score in the last two weeks and is definitely worth a pickup.
ALSO: L.J. Smith (7 rec, 111 yards)
SUNDAY FLATLINERS
Aaron Brooks (0 yards, 2 Fumbles)
I pity the fool that was counting on Brooks today. He came in with a bum knee, fumbled twice, and then left the game for good without even attempting a pass. The Raiders offense looks like it’s in serious trouble and should be avoided if at all possible. Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan are still worth roster spots, but that’s about it.
ALSO: Kerry Collins (57 yards, 2 INT), Damon Huard (133 yards), Charlie Frye (244 yards, 2 INT, 1 Fumble), Andrew Walter (162 yards, 3 INT), Jake Plummer (173 yards, 1 INT), J.P. Losman (83 yards, 1 TD), Jake Delhomme (181 yards)
Carnell Williams (15 touches, 37 yards)
This honor could have easily gone to Jordan, but I’d rather not send any more Raider fans to the ledges just yet. Carnell Williams has his second straight poor outing, and one has to wonder if that back is bothering him more than he’s letting on. The Tampa Bay passing game showed some signs of life, so hopefully Caddy will find the onramp next week.
ALSO: LaMont Jordan (19 touches, 35 yards), Chris Brown (7 touches, 9 yards), DeShaun Foster (15 touches, 43 yards), Jamal Lewis (19 touches, 70 yards)
Lee Evans (2 rec, 19 yards)
Other than Steve Smith, has there been a bigger disappointment in the world of wideouts than Lee Evans? In the first two games, Evans has four catches for 44 yards. Of course, J.P. Losman is at least partly to blame, and it’s hard to expect anything from Evans if the Buffalo passing game continues to put up numbers like these. But you know – as soon as you bench him – he’ll have a 130-yard day. So somebody bench him…please!
ALSO: Rod Smith (2 rec, 16 yards), Eddie Kennison (2 rec, 39 yards), Larry Fitzgerald (4 rec, 52 yards)
Tony Gonzalez (2 rec, 7 yards)
I really thought with Huard under center, that the team would lean on Gonzo even more. Let’s see, Herm Edwards, Tony Gonzalez is your best receiver – wouldn’t you want to throw more than four passes to him? After a big game last week, Gonzo’s performance was a huge letdown.
ALSO: Alge Crumpler (1 rec, 22 yards), Ben Watson (3 rec, 39 yards), Antonio Gates (4 rec, 55 yards)
Steve Smith did not make the trip and is out for today’s game…The Seahawks will not activate Deion Branch in Week 2…Brian Westbrook is listed as probable, but the training staff is concerned with his swollen knee, so keep an eye on this as we get closer to gametime. If he doesn’t go, Correll Buckhalter will get most of the carries, but Ryan Moats might take his place in the passing game.
11:37 AM: ESPN reported that Brian Westbrook is “good to go” for today’s game.
12:09 AM: As expected, T.J. Houshmandzadeh is out. Chris Henry should see extra snaps…Carnell Williams will start today. He’s been dealing with back spasms this week…Ron Jaworksi, ESPN’s new “fantasy guru,” says to sit Larry Johnson this week.
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